- Date Of Birth: November 25, 1935
- Date Of Death: February 22, 2022
- State: Indiana
Donna Joan Durham (aka Nana, Great Nana and MommaDonna), 86 of Elkhart, passed into Heaven on Tuesday evening, February 22, 2022 at home with family by her side.
Donna was born in Ogelsby, IL on November 25, 1935, the youngest of four children, to the late Joseph and Helen (Machaliak) Donatt. On June 8, 1957 she married Dr. Thomas Durham who preceded her in death on September 27, 2021. Also preceding her in death were her sisters, Lillian (Donatt) Burton and Helen Mae (Donatt) Alleman and Brother, Donald Donatt.
Donna is survived by her six children: Dr. Timothy (Janet) Durham, Denise (Kent) Etchison, Daniel (Karen) Durham, Todd (Jane) Durham, Ted Durham, and David (Lenitra) Durham.
Seventeen grandchildren: Patrick (Jenn), Kara (Sawyer) Hankins and Kevin Durham; Amanda Etchison; Allison, Katherine and Samantha Durham; TJ, Suzanne, Scott and Cazarina Durham; Parker, Ryan Lynn, Mitchell and Evan Durham (mother Shelley Kruggel); Xavier and Xander Durham. And two great grandchildren: Hazel and Gray Hankins.
Donna earned her LPN from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in LaSalle, IL in 1955. She and Thomas moved to Elkhart in 1963 where they built a wonderful life for their family. Donna was the emotional leader of the Durham family, always cheering on her children, instilling them with great confidence.
She enjoyed hosting elaborate birthday and holiday dinners and loved attending mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Choir, Rosary Society and Prayer Groups. Donna was a dedicated Pro-Life advocate. She delivered for Meals on Wheels to the homebound and tutored adults working toward their GED in Sr. Virginia’s class at St. Vincent Catholic Church.
She was a member of the Elks and Moose. She enjoyed tennis and golf with Tom and their friends, traveling, and snow skiing with her family. She loved dark chocolate and its health benefits. The family especially gives thanks to Elvira for her most compassionate care of Donna over the last six months.
